End Citizens United (ECU), a grassroots campaign finance reform organization, today inducted Representative Anthony D’Esposito (NY-04) to its inaugural list of ‘Most Corrupt’ politicians running for reelection. The initiative is aimed at exposing and defeating the most egregious perpetrators of corruption in Washington.
“Representative D’Esposito’s first-term has been marked by a troubling pattern of shady ethics and prioritizing corporate interests over his constituents,” said End Citizens United President Tiffany Muller. “Rather than addressing the pressing issues like corporate greed and corporate-fueled inflation, he’s chosen to cozy up to big donors and party bosses. We’re going to hold him accountable by exposing his record and engaging with voters through Election Day to make sure they know just how corrupt he is.”
D’Esposito’s time in Washington has been stained by ethics and campaign finance complaints. Last year, ECU filed a complaint against D’Esposito for illegally transferring funds and resources from his statewide fundraising committee to his federal fundraising committee, which is blatantly illegal. He also used his state committee to open a PO box in Washington, DC and pay for print ads, online ads, cell phones, office rent, fundraising, and volunteer expenses after declaring his congressional run. Additionally, D’Esposito accepted nearly $45,000 in corporate contributions, which are impermissible for federal campaigns, through his state committee after announcing his congressional campaign. He thrives with conflicts of interest, he held two local government jobs simultaneously, voted to give his family pay raises, and tried to oversee his own election.
When D’Esposito is not misusing taxpayer money, he’s bowing down to party bosses and pushing a corporate agenda. He helped pass the Big Oil & Gas giveaway bill, which was not intended to help everyday Americans with energy costs, but instead was a handout to appease the GOP’s fossil fuel donors. D’Esposito has also voted to cut funding for renewable energy and cut tax enforcement against his rich donors. Already in his career, he has taken $88,000 from corporate PACs.
ECU will highlight D’Esposito’s record of corruption and will work to engage voters and the media between now and Election Day, including in a new digital video released today.
ECU is dedicated to combating the two biggest challenges facing our democracy: the corrosive impact of Big Money and attempts to block access to the ballot box. Since its founding in 2015, the group has had over 1 million donors and raised $200 million, with an average donation of just $14. The group has more than 4 million members nationwide.
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